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There are many factors that can lead to a constipated colon. Generally it is a combination of factors that together create a lifestyle, which ultimately results in constipation.
Diet: America has a love affair with C.R.A.P. Forgive the pun, but the fact is Americans love coffee, refined sugar and starch, alcohol, and processed food. Growing up on a traditional meat, potato, and slice of cake diet sets the stage for constipation. Even for those of us that have changed our diets as adults, the retraining of our elimination system takes time. Additionally, Americans do not consume enough Essential Fatty Acids. Oils that contain E.F.A.s like flax, borage, and fish are needed for lubrication of the intestinal system. Sadly, most Americans do not supplement their diets with these essential nutrients.
Lack of Exercise: Exercise stimulates lymphatic flow, which can help create normal peristalsis. This is essential to produce 3 bowel movements per day. Unfortunately, Americans do not get enough exercise.
Medications: Many medications cause constipation. These include antidepressants, pain medications, antacids that contain aluminum, diuretics and antibiotics.
Changes in Routine: When your normal daily activity is altered, as when traveling on business frequently, the bowel can become constipated.
Lack of time: It may sound strange, but many of us do not create the time to eliminate regularly. How many of us get up in the morning, grab a cup of coffee and head out the door in a rush to work? Sometimes, one will feel a slight urge to eliminate, but ignore that urge, being "too busy" to act upon it. Over time, this reduces the natural urge to eliminate, and the urges become less frequent.

What are the signs of good elimination?
Stool Color: The stool should be walnut brown. Of course if you eat something like beets or dark green vegetables, you may experience temporary discoloration.
Consistency and Length: Stool should have a consistency similar to toothpaste and the length of a banana. Many people produce small, hard, pellet like fecal matter. This is not proper. Insufficient daily intake of water is a key contributor to improper consistency and length, as well as the lack of frequent elimination (2-3 times per day).
Frequency: At minimum, one should have one good bowel movement per day, but 2-3 is ideal.
Gas and Odor: Gas is the natural byproduct of digestion, but an abundance of gas is not normal.
Sink or Float: A normal healthy stool should leave the body easily, settle in the water and gently submerge. If there is not enough daily fiber in the diet (30 to 40 grams), the stool will quickly plummet to the bottom of the toilet. If the stool floats, it could mean too much fiber in the diet or more that likely, too much undigested fat."

How do I achieve 2 to 3 bowel movements per day?
Dr. Leonard Smith responds "It is unlikely that a doctor has taught you know how to achieve optimal elimination 2 to 3 bowel movements per day. This is probably due to the discomfort experienced in discussing the subject. My comfort in having an open dialogue about the subject is due to the amount of discomfort and serious disease I have seen within patients who experience poor digestion and constipation. The formula for the healthy movement of the bowel is actually quite simple:
1) Peristalsis/Hydration: To achieve 2 to 3 bowel movements per day, the peristaltic action of the bowel must be regular and vigorous. Peristalsis is the natural wavelike movement of the colon. This action, when functioning normally, moves food through the digestive system in less than 24 hours. There are many ways to stimulate peristalsis, but the most important way is through proper hydration of the colon. Most people don't know that constipation is often caused by dehydration. The key to hydrating the colon is to drink plenty of water, and if you like, you can jump-start the peristaltic action of a sluggish colon by using hydrating minerals and gentle (non-laxative) herbs. Many "natural" products stimulate peristaltic action using herbal laxatives like cascara sagrada and senna. Although better than being constipated, the use of these herbal laxatives is something I am strongly against, as more research suggests that although natural, these purgative herbs are habit forming like pharmaceutical laxatives, and they do not restore the colon's independent ability to function properly. Cascara sagrada and senna are laxative or purgative herbs. They work by irritating the colon, causing it to expel its contents. Hydration of the colon is the key to making peristalsis occur naturally, and the use of ingested water and gentle minerals and herbs is a far better solution. Magnesium hydroxide is a gentle mineral that brings water into the colon instead of purging it out. Increased hydration stimulates peristalsis naturally, unlike harsh herbs. Similarly, cape aloe and the rhubarb are gentle herbs that naturally stimulate peristalsis.
2) Bulk: The colon requires bulk in order for it to move 2 to 3 times per day. Fiber is the key, but the right kind of fiber is critical to adding proper bulk. Optimal intake for most people would be 30-40 grams per day. Preferably, the source of fiber should be split evenly between soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Flax based fiber is the best, for it has a natural 50/50 split. Because it is difficult to eat 30 to 40 grams of fiber per day in your diet, many people supplement their diets with fiber products. It is important to avoid fibers that are predominantly soluble. A good example of the wrong fiber is psyllium, which is almost 100% soluble. Why is this? Psyllium absorbs 40 times its weight in water. When you take psyllium, it can absorb most of the free water in the colon, which leaves the colon dehydrated, which in turn reduces peristalsis. This is why so many people become clogged and constipated when they use a psyllium based fiber supplement. A flax fiber, which is balanced 50/50 (soluble/insoluble), gives the user many benefits. It absorbs toxins and creates proper bulk in the colon without dehydrating it.
3) Lubrication: To achieve 2 to 3 bowel movements per day, lubrication of the colon is critical. There are many good oils, including flax, borage, and fish, which are very effective in providing necessary lubrication for smooth and gentle elimination. These oils not only provide the colon with the lubrication it needs to eliminate 2 to 3 times per day, but they also give the body the essential fatty acids that can only be obtained through the diet and are vital to many cellular functions that create good health. Because fats are difficult to digest, it is important to use an oil which contains lipase, a digestive enzyme that assists in the breakdown of the oils. These three steps (peristalsis/hydration, bulk, and lubrication) are a simple system that will result in proper daily elimination. In addition to these steps, here are some helpful hints that also create the environment for regular elimination:

1) Drink plenty of water.
2) Change your diet slowly, adding more fruits and vegetables, especially organic ones. Supplement with a good daily fiber. Lower the amount of refined starches, sugar and processed foods in your diet.
3) Try taking digestive enzymes with your meals.
4) Exercise! If not daily, than at least 3 times per week for 30 minutes.
5) Lubricate the colon by taking essential fatty acids in oils such as flax, borage and fish.
6) When traveling, try to maintain a normal diet and regular sleep schedule.
7) Create time to go to the bathroom in the morning even if it means getting up a little earlier than usual.
8) Position yourself correctly when using the toilet. Keep the feet raised on a telephone book or a device designed for proper eliminative posture.
9) Do biannual cleanses using herbal combinations designed to support overall body and intestinal detoxification.
10) Use colon hydrotherapy/hydration."

The information presented is for informational purposes only. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Consult your doctor or healthcare practitioner for any health problem and before using any supplements.

The 30 Day Advanced Cleanse System

Step 1: Peristalsis/Hydration
CleanseSMART is a 30 day advanced cleansing program that will provide you with quick results. Its primary function is to gently stimulate 2 or 3 bowel movements per day by hydrating the colon using magnesium hydroxide and a combination of 20 other cleansing herbs. Importantly, it does not contain harsh addictive laxatives like cascara sagrada or senna. CleanseSMART not only stimulates peristaltic action, it also contains herbs which gently cleanse the other 6 channels of elimination and supports accessory organs. There are two formulas in CleanseSMART, Organ Detox, and Colon Cleanse, which work together to bring immediate results. CleanseSMART was designed to be a stand alone program that helps you achieve 2 to 3 bowel movements, as well as detoxify the body. I also recommend that my clients take FiberSMART for bulk, and OilSMART for lubrication, although CleanseSMART alone will bring you the level of bowel movements you seek.
Renew Life - cat# - RL-53450 - CleanseSMART - 60 Caps

Step 2: Bulk
FiberSMART is a flax based fiber formula for daily use. Flax is about 50% soluble fiber and 50% insoluble fiber. This is the proper ratio, in that it will not swell and gel and dehydrate the colon like psyllium, but will still provide enough absorption to help sweep toxins out of the body through regular elimination. I recommend FiberSMART as an eliminative and digestive maintenance formula to be taken with OilSMART and CleanseSMART.
Renew Life - cat# - RL-53408 - FiberSMART Powder - 8 oz



Step 3: Lubrication
OilSMART is my patented essential fatty acid formulation that combines flax, borage, and fish oil in addition to lipase, which helps the body digest the fats and lubricate and nourish the colon and circulatory system. OilSMART is the only patented lubricating formula on the market. I recommend OilSMART as an eliminative and digestive maintenance formula to be taken with FiberSMART and CleanseSMART.
Renew Life - cat# - RL-73444 - OilSMART Gel Caps - 90